holy name of mary parish hunters hill st ......the ascension year a when an old bloke just sits! 24...
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THE ASCENSION YEAR A
WHEN AN OLD BLOKE JUST SITS!
24 MAY 2020
HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH
We acknowledge the Walumatagal people — the first custodians of this place
Calendar
MARCH
It’s a truly splendid autumn morning. The old bloke has done a turn around the garden for some exercise and
then sits on a garden seat to get a mandatory daily dose of Vitamin D. Life’s slower for him at the moment as
it has been for most of us lately, giving him time to take in more reflectively the little part of the world that he
inhabits.
A colony of ants, unlike him are full of their daily work and he marvels at the speed with which the tiny crea-
tures motor along on legs too small for him to see. Where are they off to with such urgency? An ungainly ibis
takes an appropriately ungainly drink from a nearby birdbath. He wonders at the wisdom behind their quaint
design! He supposes that someone must appreciate them.
At his feet an autumn leaf has come to rest. In its glory days it was green, pulsing with life and promise. Now
in an all too short time here it is, lifeless with only faint memories to sustain it. Sitting in slow motion as he is,
he notices that the leaf even now has a certain beauty, the shape, the veins so symmetrical and the lightness
of its being, all reflecting something of creation’s mysterious, transforming cycles.
The air is almost still with only the slightest cooling breath softening the sun’s warmth.
Sitting in slow motion his thoughts turn inwards. Memories, diminishing health, thoughts about the future all
stream by and occupy his few minutes in the sun. Some things have been achieved well enough and he is
pleased to remember. He has been well loved through a lifetime and for this he is filled with thankfulness.
There are some hearts who have entered his heart-story who have enabled him through their priceless self-
lessness to stay the course set years’ ago.
There is one who has loved, healed and mentored him and fostered the growth of gifts that have gone on to
nourish many along the way. This patient and sometimes suffering love is something of God’s own making.
Among the memories are failures, mistakes, poor judgements, probably similar to the ones that inhabit the
heart of every other old bloke. He feels the pinch of them and prays for healing for those he may have hurt
along the way and for forgiveness for himself, though God knows he’s prayed for that often enough through
the years.
He is glad for the present, especially for the chance it gives him to be still, to be an old bloke just sitting!
Two more notables on the world stage have died in the past day or so and their deaths are reported on the
news, along with their ages. He realizes that they were not much older than he is and that brings him to pon-
dering his future which is necessarily growing shorter even as he sits. The final full-stop to his life is getting
closer and he looks towards it with a certain calm curiosity.
Like everyone else he knows not the day nor the hour nor the manner of his demise. That it will happen he is
sure. How, he’s not too concerned, though he would like to leave without creating too much fuss. Being kindly
entrusted back into the Creator’s arms by whoever happens to be around at the time with a prayer, a song
and a raised glass would do just fine.
Next time you see an old bloke just sitting, chances are that there’s a whole life being lived, digested, re-
viewed and perhaps even reverenced. It’s possibly the same with an old lady, though you’d need her to tell
you about that!
He’s had enough sun, in fact it’s over the yard-arm, so the old bloke gets up and walks taking his musings
with him. He’s had a few minutes of a peculiar grace that leave him still and glad. Father Kevin
WEEKLY MASS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE As long as our churches
are closed, we will have
available a celebration of
the Mass each weekend
on YouTube.
We are presently consid-
ering extending this ser-
vice even when we get to
Stage 3 of the easing of
restrictions;
Just go to:
bit.ly/hnomhuntershill
or search Holy Name of
Mary Hunters Hill
and click on the appropri-
ate Sunday’s icon.
P a ge 2 T he A sc en si on Y e ar A
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PARISH? See if anyone in your pew
knows the name of this Parish-
ioner. Her name next week. Last
week’s photo: Patri-
cia and Kate Barry
OUR ELDERLY—
FORGET ME NOT
PROJECT
If you are in need of some
help to get shopping in, need
a lawn mowed or need a lift to
the shops during these chal-
lenging times, please contact
the parish office. Likewise,
you may be self-isolating and
would simply appreciate a
phone call.
Some very kind parishioners
have extended offers of assis-
tance in this regard. In the
same way if you are in a posi-
tion to help any of our parish-
ioners please contact the
office. Phone: 98175325
EMAIL SCAM ALERT Scammers have been active
around the Archdiocese. If you
receive emails appearing to
come from Fathers Kevin or
Aliki but which seem out of char-
acter or which cause you con-
cern, please ignore the emails
and alert us at the parish office.
Some such emails have been
received by parishioners recent-
ly from bogus addresses.
What’s on?
CHILD SAFETY— OUR SPECIAL PRIORITY
HOLY NAME OF MARY CHURCH OPEN HOURS & ARRANGEMENTS For the time being, Holy Name of Mary Church will be open for personal prayer Monday-Friday
from 12 noon – 2.00pm.
On the days one of our priests is on hand, he will be available for the Sacrament of Reconcilia-
tion.*
Each visitor will be required to provide a name, phone number
and email address.
Visitors must not belong to any
at-risk category.
There will be a maximum of 10 people in the church at any one
time.
Initially, entrance will be by the side door only. The door near
the sacristy.
We have had appropriate clean-ing done prior to the church
being opened.
We ask that each visitor disin-fect any surfaces with which they been in contact prior to departure. Cleaning materials will be provided for this pur-
pose.
We will need to be watchful and patient as we learn together how to manage the new and still
strange situation!
We will keep you informed as
this situation evolves.
*(At other times you can come to the parish house at your
convenience for Reconciliation.)
CHURCH CLEANING Special acknowledgement to
Fred and Benjamin Khoury
and Mitchel Hoare who gave
Holy Name of Mary Church a
thorough cleaning prior to its re-
opening this week.
On behalf of the parish a heart-
felt thank you to the three of
your for your generosity and
effort.
THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY ONLINE The Catholic Weekly Digital Edi-tion for issue 10 May 2020 is now available. Please click the link to view.
https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/
catholic-weekly-newspaper-online/
CLEANING REQUIRE-MENTS WHEN PUBLIC MASSES RESUME We have no clear idea yet as to
when we will be able to celebrate
public Masses in our Churches
once again. When that time comes,
we will be required to clean the
seats and doorhandles after each
Mass.
We envisage a team of 3 people
rostered on for each of our five
weekend Masses. We would also
need to clean after each weekday
Mass.
If you would like to offer your ser-
vice please give your name and
contact number to Catherine at the
Parish Office: 9817 5325/0415 049
923.
SURVEY FOR CHILDREN ON E-SAFETY The Child Safety Office of the
Archdiocese is conducting a sur-
vey in order to develop guidelines
for safe use of social media by
children. If you are happy to do
so, please ask your children to fill
in the questionnaire found on the
following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/
TC7CYQ3
PARISH FINANCES Thanks very much to those parishioners who have re-sponded so generously with your contributions to the par-ish during this time. Contributions are still welcome. The Parish Finance Committee suggests that you could:
Drop your envelopes or contributions into the parish office;
Go to the website www.hnom.com.au click on the “Make a Payment” tab and proceed from there, or
Ask us for a Planned Giving form from the of-fice and make a regular contribution that way.
THE CHURCH READY
FOR VISITORS
P a ge 3 T he A sc en si on Y e ar A
Pray for... PRAYER ZONE
QUIET SUFFERERS A small number of parishioners
are in various degrees suffering
from ill health at this time, some of
them as a result of recent health
episodes. They wish to remain
anonymous but we can still re-
member them and pray for their
return to good health.
May each of them be blessed with
good professional care and the
love of family and friends as they
seek to recover.
Marist Sisters’ College Principal: Dr Anne Ireland
Ph: 9816 2041
www.mscw.nsw.edu.au
First Reading : Acts 2: 3-11
Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7. 12-13 Gospel Reading : John 20: 19-23
This Week… Scripture Zone
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 Why are you standing here
looking up into the sky?
Jesus has been taken into
heaven.
Response God mounts his thone to shous
of joy: a blare of trumpets for
the Lord.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 He made Jesus to sit at his right
hand in heaven.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Go and teach al nations my gos-pel, I am with you always until the end of the world. Alleluia!
Gospel Reading Matthew 28: 18-20 All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me..
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION PROGRAM WILL BE
ONLINE: DETAILS SOON.
COMING SOON
POINT TO PONDER ASCENSION DAY
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory Whilst we were rooted still in time and place, As earth became a part of heaven’s story And heaven opened to his human face. We saw him go and yet we were not parted, He took us with him to the heart of things. The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted Is whole and heaven-centred now and sings; Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness, Sings through the clouds that veil us from his sight. Whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness And sing the waning darkness into light; His light in us, and ours in him concealed, Which all creation waits to see revealed.
Malcolm Guitte Sounding the Seasons
Villa Maria Primary School Principal: Mr. Kevin Turner
Phone: 98796100
www.vmhuntershill.catholic.edu.au
St Josephs’ College Principal: Dr Christopher Hayes
Mark Street, Hunters Hill, NSW
2110 T +61 2 9816 0802
www.joeys.org
Well Done...CONGRATS AND WELCOME ZONE
Please pray for all those who
are sick or in special need in
our community:
Janet Muscat, Judy Craig,
Andrew & Lina Gullotta,
Suzanne Traill, Frank Lloyd,
Winifred Wall, John Burton,
Madge Mullen, Jill Caldwell,
Annette Sidgreaves, Valerie
Grant, John O’Connor, Ron
Hill, Catherine Keating,
(Pauline Dowling’s Mother,)
and Eddie and Carmel Walsh
(Ann Curtin’s parents.)
A PARISH OF THE MARIST FATHERS
PARISH OFFICE: 3A Mary Street. Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Mon-Fri PHONE: 9817 5325. FAX: 9817 4615. EMAIL: [email protected]
PARISH TEAM: Parish Priest: Father Kevin Bates SM, OAM Ph: 0425 333 129 [email protected] Priests Assisting: Fathers Aliki Langi SM, Ph: 0408 896 839 John Worthington SM, Paul Pidcock SM, OAM Parish Secretary: Catherine Byrne Associate Secretary: Maggie Mullane
Sacramental Coordinator: Rosalia Foley [email protected] 0409 608 979 Parish Safeguarding Support Officers:
Caitlin Pfafflin & Kathleen Lee:
……………………………………………...
BAPTISM: By arrangement. Parents please contact the presbytery to book & arrange to attend the Baptism Prep Program BAPTISM PREPARATION EVENINGS: Tuesday 9 June, (if possible) Chapter Hall @ 7.30pm …………………………………………………… MARRIAGE: At least six months notice must be given. The parish clergy will officiate primarily for parishion-ers. Others will generally need to arrange their own Priest or Deacon.
.....................................................................
PARISH PASTORAL GROUPS AND CONTACTS Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson: Marita Winters [email protected] Parish Pastoral Council Secretary: Carmen Pelling
Parish Finance Committee: Andrew Curtin 0423 123 995
Family Faith Educator: Marea De Angelis
Ph: 0419 448 201
RCIA: Janet Greene 9879 6515
Counselling: Deborah Khoury 0409 719 443 ………………………………………………... Villa Play Group: Tues 9:30-11:30am Parish Hall. Mercedes Simola 0414 625 384 www.hnom.com.au/children St Vincent De Paul: Tony Adukewicz 0411 641
895
Meditation Group: Gabrielle Woodcock,
9817 0097
Youth Group: Luana: 0426845053 or
Danielle: 0400 871 423
Young Adults Group: Nicholas Fearnley
0401 722 839
Aged Ministry : Margaret Gambley 9807 2160
Grief Support Group:
Cecilia Brungs: 0412 284 028
Social Justice Group:
David Macedone: 0412 049 895;
Marnie Butler: 0413 004 702
Marist Laity Group: Cathy Gallo 9817 2959
Josiane Espinosa 9807 9199 ……………………………………………………...
Liturgy Group & Music Ministry: Kia
Mackun 0435 899 917, Ralph Fitzgerald 0412
230 626
Eucharistic Ministry Coordinators:
HNM: Maggie Mullane: 0411 475 469
SPC: Maria Goode: 0423 706 830
Altar Servers Coordinator:
Yvonne Young: 0410 588 063
Email: [email protected]
Readers HNM: Barry Buffier: 9817 8805
SPC: Mark Volpato: 9816 4431
Children’s Liturgy:
HNM: Olivia Edwards: 0409 541 177
Email: [email protected]
`SPC: Sally Grill: 0417 916 267
Altar Society: Julia Cuming: 0412 031 451
Annette Hills: 0401 252 064
Ukelele Group: Fr Aliki: 0408 896 839
Cleaners:
HNM: Maggie Mullane 0411 475 469
SPC: Imogen Cornell : 0402 436 715
Men’s Group:
Clinton McDonald: 0419 646 311
Gerardo D'Angelo 0418 294 063
Inter-Church Council:
Richard Korkor 0410 431 022
Web: www.hnom.com.au
Facebook: Holy Name of Mary Parish
New or Returning
Parishioners…
Please come along to the Parish Office for a
warm welcome and to pick up a Parish
Information Kit .
OUR PARISH PRAYER Loving God,
you are the home for our hearts’ deepest longings. We find our way as families and as individuals only in you, through our brother Jesus,
encouraged by the breath of your Spirit. We thank you for all the blessings we enjoy in our parish family.
May we continue to share our gifts of life and love with glad and generous hearts. May our world be somehow more alive because we have passed this way.
May Mary our parish patron continue to inspire us as we give new birth to your Word in our turn. We make our prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
SUNDAY MASS TIMES Holy Name of Mary: Sat.6.00pm Sun.8.00am, 10.00am, 6.00pm. St. Peter Chanel: Sunday – 9.00am. WEEKDAY EUCHARIST Holy Name of Mary: Monday to Friday –9.00am. Saturday – 8.00am. St Peter Chanel: Wednesday 12.15pm RECONCILIATON: Holy Name of Mary: Saturday 5.15pm-5.45pm or by request.